Fendt939 Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 Hi all, I'm starting a new N gauge model railway and unlike previous layouts I'll need this one to be able to split in half and be stored in separate locations. Now the trouble I'm facing is how do I transfer the track power across from board-board, my idea is use 'jack plugs' by using the male and female connections I can easily solder the ends of the wires to each line of track then just plug it in "Simples" so he says. My doubt is how many volts can these things take? Or are there any better alternatives out there? I don't have a power bus on the layout so anything that will transfer the volts has to be connected to the track...for anyone wondering it's a DC layout! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted September 16, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 16, 2018 Hi all, I'm starting a new N gauge model railway and unlike previous layouts I'll need this one to be able to split in half and be stored in separate locations. Now the trouble I'm facing is how do I transfer the track power across from board-board, my idea is use 'jack plugs' by using the male and female connections I can easily solder the ends of the wires to each line of track then just plug it in "Simples" so he says. My doubt is how many volts can these things take? Or are there any better alternatives out there? I don't have a power bus on the layout so anything that will transfer the volts has to be connected to the track...for anyone wondering it's a DC layout! There will be many answers to your question (and many questions). Starting with - how many wires do you need to go across the joint? Multiple pin plug/sockets are available - if it's just a couple of wires, then jack plugs will be more than adequate. How often will you be disconnecting/reconnecting? (This may determine if you use plug/socket or screwed connectors) Volts is highly unlikely to be a problem as model railways use low voltages - what will be more of an issue is current, but again, model railways run relatively low numbers - especially DC and N. Cheers, Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fendt939 Posted September 16, 2018 Author Share Posted September 16, 2018 Cheers bud, that pretty much solves it, there's only 3 tracks going across the joint...the current shouldn't be a issue as it's only a 6ft long layout... connecting and disconnecting will be rather regular 2-3 times a week. I still stick with the jack plugs. My main concern was if the jack plugs can take the volts I was pretty sure they could but always better safe than sorry. Thanks again! Matthew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Nile Posted September 16, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 16, 2018 Bachmann controllers use 3.5mm 'jack' connectors, so if it's good enough for them..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartynJPearson Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 I use the 20 way ATX connectors, not had any problems using them for the DCC bus, AC supply for point motor control boards (MERG kits) and other feeds like for signals etc. Sadly my supply used to come from the now defunct Maplin but given that you can buy anything on a certain auction website I'm sure there are other options. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir TophamHatt Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Have just watched some videos of Chadwick Railway on YouTube. He uses some plug connectors. Pretty neat, although isn't required for my layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted September 18, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 18, 2018 (edited) For 12v DC, I use male female connector blocks, no soldering, just screw in your wires either side of the male or female block. a block pair is a tight fit when you push them together. Strips come in 12’s, but can be cut to size the number you need, c£2 each from farnells. Hint.. label your wires at both ends and on both sides of the connector... someday a wire will come loose and a label will save you loads of tracing hassles. Edited September 18, 2018 by adb968008 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fendt939 Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 (edited) Okay, thank you all for the reply ... definitely a 1000 different options. The no soldering option sounds good as I'm well...not the best at soldering to put it nicely! Definitely checking out Chadwick TMDs video, I've fallen behind on his channel. Thanks once again! P.s if anyone has a link for male and female connecting blocks that would be really helpfull any website will do... Edited September 19, 2018 by Fendt939 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokebox Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Pluggable connection strips https://cpc.farnell.com/camdenboss/ctsn433-12mf/10a-terminal-strip/dp/CN00144 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Jack plugs are best avoided because they short when you plug them in and out, and tend not to be the most reliable connection. You have had a few suggestions, but you might like to consider 'D' connectors given that you are going to be doing quite a lot of plugging in and out - and an hour or so spent soldering up the 'D' plugs will almost certainly be repaid in not having to do rework to repair or replace other types of connector not really suited to frequent connection and disconnection. 'D' connectors are really quite cheap, and come in useful sizes of 9, 15, 25, 35, and 50 ways, and can be chassis mounted (to the baseboard) as well as cable mounted (with nice tough metal shells and excellent cable strain relief). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted September 19, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 19, 2018 Jack plugs are best avoided because they short when you plug them in and out, and tend not to be the most reliable connection. You have had a few suggestions, but you might like to consider 'D' connectors given that you are going to be doing quite a lot of plugging in and out - and an hour or so spent soldering up the 'D' plugs will almost certainly be repaid in not having to do rework to repair or replace other types of connector not really suited to frequent connection and disconnection. 'D' connectors are really quite cheap, and come in useful sizes of 9, 15, 25, 35, and 50 ways, and can be chassis mounted (to the baseboard) as well as cable mounted (with nice tough metal shells and excellent cable strain relief). If the layout is being dismantled/erected, then it's highly likely power is off, so shorting is not an issue. I've seen RCA speaker plugs used to good effect for low current two pole applications. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fendt939 Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 Jack plugs are best avoided because they short when you plug them in and out, and tend not to be the most reliable connection. You have had a few suggestions, but you might like to consider 'D' connectors given that you are going to be doing quite a lot of plugging in and out - and an hour or so spent soldering up the 'D' plugs will almost certainly be repaid in not having to do rework to repair or replace other types of connector not really suited to frequent connection and disconnection. 'D' connectors are really quite cheap, and come in useful sizes of 9, 15, 25, 35, and 50 ways, and can be chassis mounted (to the baseboard) as well as cable mounted (with nice tough metal shells and excellent cable strain relief). Any power would be turned off when dismantling and erecting the boards...so shorting out wouldn't be a issue..I have a friend who uses jack plugs and has never had any issues with them. Onto D plugs they seem highly complicated and when you have the soldering skills of a 2 year old it definitely won't end well. Will do some research into them but more than likely won't use them due to my soldering skills. Thanks! Matthew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fendt939 Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 If the layout is being dismantled/erected, then it's highly likely power is off, so shorting is not an issue. I've seen RCA speaker plugs used to good effect for low current two pole applications. RCA's are definitely a option but is there much difference between them and Jack Plugs? Also sorry for my total lack of electrical knowledge I'm just genuinely useless at it! Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Little video on Youtube showing how to wire a 'D' plug:- He is using a thin screened multicore cable, but using fatter unscreened multicore or individual 16/02 wires like you need for layout interconnects will make it a bit easier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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